This Week in History: 28 July – 3 August

A glimpse into the rich history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat

28 July 1914: On this day, a grand prophecy of the Promised Messiah^as began to unfold, in the shape of World War I.

28 July 1967: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh attended a reception that was arranged in his honour at the Wandsworth Town Hall, London. The reception was also attended by the Mayor of Wandsworth, Sir Harold Hey Jenkins, Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan^ra, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone, and many other dignitaries. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 24, p. 135)

29 July 1910: On this day, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad^ra delivered a Friday Sermon, while Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra was away on his tour of Multan. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 323)

29 July 2014: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa addressed members of the Jamaat from the Fazl Mosque in London on the final day of that year’s Ramadan. Huzoor^aa delivered a Darsul Quran of the last four chapters of the Holy Quran before leading the assembled Ahmadi Muslims and viewers across the world in silent prayer. (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivers Darsul-Quran on final Day of Ramadan”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

30 July 1955: On this day, during his visit to Europe, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra led the Eid-ul-Adha prayer at the Fazl Mosque in London. This is the only Eid-ul-Adha that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra has led in Europe.

For more details, see “‘Middle East in SW18’: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud leads Eid-ul-Adha at the Fazl Mosque in London, 1955” (Al Hakam, 30 June 2023, Issue 276, p. 12).

30 July 1976: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III^rh delivered a Friday Sermon on this day in the United States of America. This was the first sermon of any Khalifatul Masih on this continent. Huzoor^rh delivered the Friday Sermon in English. (Khutbat-e-Nasir, Vol. 6, p. 503)

31 July 1897: On this day, the Promised Messiah^as wrote to Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahman^ra expressing his thanks for receiving  100 rupees in chanda. Huzoor^as also informed him about the planned expansion project of the Mubarak Mosque, expounding on the importance of this place of worship as it had been mentioned in many revelations. (Maktubat-e-Ahmad, Vol. 2, pp. 350-351)

31 July 1910: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra addressed the general public, who had gathered at the Ahmadiyya Building in Lahore to listen to his words. Huzoor^ra chose the topic of “Islam compared with other religions.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 323)

31 July 1920: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra travelled to the hillside city of Dharamshala, now located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. During his stay, Huzoor^ra composed his famous poem, “Naunehalan-e-Jamaat […]”, the English rendering of which can be read in our article, “100 Years Ago… – To the Nation’s Youth”, 30 July 2021, Issue 176, pp. 16-17)

1 August 1899: On this day, a famous Hindu sadhu (ascetic) arrived at Qadian. He had the opportunity to meet and talk with the Promised Messiah^as. (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 2, p. 35)

1 August 1931: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra had a meeting with the Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon. During the meeting, Huzoor^ra discussed the plight of the people of Kashmir. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 5, p. 452)

1 August 1950: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra delivered a lecture at a tea party held in his honour, at the York House in Quetta, Pakistan. For more details, see “Ahmadiyyat is the means for Islam’s progress: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s address at a reception in Quetta, Pakistan, 1950” (Al Hakam, 30 December 2022, Issue 250, p. 10)

1 August 2016: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa launched MTA Africa, a new television channel established specifically to cater for the needs of the African people. (“Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community launches MTA International Africa TV Channel”, www.pressahmadiyya.com)

2 August 1913: On this day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I’s^ra son, Abdul Hayy Sahib’s wedding ceremony took place. Regarding his son’s residence, Huzoor^ra instructed the construction workers that it should be built facing Baitullah, i.e., the Ka’bah. Huzoor^ra wished that his progeny should always remain punctual and regular in their prayers and worship. The daughter-in-law of Huzoor^ra was the daughter of Hazrat Maulvi Syed Sarwar Shah^ra. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^ra gifted his son and daughter-in-law with a copy of the Holy Quran, Sahih al-Bukhari and some other books. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 450)

3 August 1917: On this day, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra sent a delegation of Ahmadi missionaries and devotees to Mumbai. This team spent more than two months discharging their assigned duties and remained occupied in discussions with people of different faiths.

The delegation included Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad MA^ra, Hazrat Mir Muhammad Ishaq^ra, Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani^ra and Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Ismail^ra. Huzoor^ra gave them 31 instructions and despite the rain, he went outside Qadian to see off the delegation. The delegation remained occupied in the propagation of Islam for more than two months. They preached among different sects of Muslims through announcements, lectures and duroos (sermons). Despite the opposition, the overall impact was very good. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p.198)